Essay 1

Please read and view the material at the websites below.  Then, go back to your readings for Week 1 and the Power Points on colonization.

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/precontact-and-early-colonial-era/spanish-colonization/v/spanish-colonization

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/colonial-america/early-english-settlement/a/french-and-dutch-exploration

Discuss the process of colonization by Spain, France and the Netherlands.  What types of political and economic policies did each nation follow in the New World?  What role did religion play for each of these countries in their New World colonies?

Essay 2

Please view the material at the websites below.  Then, go back to your readings for Week 2 and the Power Points on English colonization.

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/colonial-america/early-chesapeake-and-southern-colonies/v/early-english-settlements-jamestown  

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/colonial-america/colonial-north-america/a/puritan-new-england-plymouth

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/colonial-america/colonial-north-america/a/puritan-new-england-massachusetts-bay

How was the founding of the Virginia colony different from the founding of Massachusetts (both Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay)? What type of colonists were attracted to each colony? What were the settlers in each colony seeking when they came to the New World? 

Essay 3

Please read the materials in Week 3 pertaining the Great Awakening and Enlightenment.  Then, watch the videos below.  What was the Great Awakening?   What was the Enlightenment?  How did these movements shape colonial ideas about government and authority?  Please discuss specific events and individuals.

Essay 4

Please review the material and Power Points on slavery from Week 3.  Then, read these ads from an 18th century NJ newspaper advertising the escape of slaves.  You can find the readings here: https://www.njstatelib.org/research_library/new_jersey_resources/highlights/african_american_history_curriculum/unit_3_colonial_era_slavery/runaway_slave_notices/

Discuss the experience of an African captive brought to the Americas and sold as a slave. What was the Middle Passage? In what ways did slaves show resistance to their plight?  Were there any slave revolts during the colonial period? What can we infer from the newspaper excerpts about the lives of these escaped slaves?